Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in Tennessee
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Tennessee earn a median of $60,690 a year, based on BLS data for 13,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,830 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $64,370. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education pay. There are 4.0 middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,540 |
| 25th percentile | $50,780 |
| Median | $60,690 |
| 75th percentile | $64,650 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,830 |
| Average (mean) | $61,030 |
Half of middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,057.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,528.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,334.23 |
| Weekly | $1,167.12 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $63,410 | 1,830 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $63,030 | 1,060 |
| Johnson City, TN | $63,010 | 370 |
| Cleveland, TN | $61,760 | 240 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,090 | 4,010 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $60,600 | 590 |
| Morristown, TN | $60,180 | 390 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,520 | 660 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $58,380 | 1,750 |
| Jackson, TN | $55,860 | 430 |
Highest-paying states for middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,140 |
| California | $98,950 |
| New York | $94,840 |
| Connecticut | $93,610 |
| Rhode Island | $92,760 |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 |
| District of Columbia | $79,900 |
| Utah | $79,180 |
| Alaska | $78,940 |
| New Jersey | $78,770 |
See Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Tennessee?
The median salary for middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee is $60,690 a year. Pay ranges from $48,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee earn at least $76,830 a year. The top 25% earn $64,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,540 a year, and a quarter of middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn $50,780 or less.
How many middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education work in Tennessee?
About 13,060 middle school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.